Ngata may not fit team's defensive scheme

Mark Gaughan, of the Buffalo News, reports the Buffalo Bills will not be able to address their needs on either the offensive or defensive line with the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft in April. Oregon DT Haloti Ngata does not look like a good fit for the new defensive system being adopted by Bills head coach Dick Jauron. Several scouts and personnel directors from around the league say Ngata is not a fit for the "Tampa Cover 2" style, because he is a 345-pound lineman whose strength is occupying two gaps on the line. Other observers feel the No. 8 overall pick is too early to draft the second best offensive tackle in the draft, USC OT Winston Justice. The Bills may need to turn their attention to the secondary or linebacker. Bills general manager Marv Levy would not comment specifically on Ngata or other defensive line prospects, but he acknowledged the nose tackle can't be solely a hole-plugger.

Re: Ngata may not fit team's defensive scheme

I agree, he'd be a great fit for us. I think if he gets by Buffalo, he's our's, barring someone leap frogging us with a trade for him. He still has some work to do on his technique, but the physical ability is outstanding.

Re: Ngata may not fit team's defensive scheme

Nice article, hope springs eternal, but i believe nothing that i read at this point regarding which teams likes or doesnt like a particular guy. Writers are fountains of misinformation under the best of circumstances and at this point of year, its the worst.

Re: Ngata may not fit team's defensive scheme

To help Illustrate the Cover 2 DTs Versus the Grady Jackson types...

Warren Sapp was a Cover 2 DT in Tampa .. His game was quickness and pass rush. He was traded to Oakland and he was utilized his first year (or part of the first year) as a Nose Tackle. He wasn't big enough or stout enough to be an effective run stuffer and he was unhappy with no role in pass rushing.
Everyone agreed Sapp, couldn't play Nose tackle at that point.

Re: Ngata may not fit team's defensive scheme

I would love this guy in a Rams uniform. This man would fill a hole. Hes big mean and has the attitude to play this position, with him there and the linebackers doing their job will be able to stuff the run and bring pressure from the outside or up the middle, he'll change the dynamics of our defense. Enough said

Re: Ngata may not fit team's defensive scheme

Yes Big-Blue.

So much of defense is situational. If we put teams in obvious passing situations, that changes everything. Then, we can put in our extra DBs and the Def Lineman can pin their ears back and go full throttle.

Re: Ngata may not fit team's defensive scheme

This definitely could be a smokescreen. Buffalo did sign one free agent DT(Larry Tripplett) but they lost two (Sam Adams and Ron Edwards). On the other hand, DTs usually take a couple years before they produce in the NFL and the Tampa 2 system tends to rely on a healthy inside pass rush. Considering they have the illustrious Coy Wire and Matt Bowen at Strong Safety, I'd believe it if they were seriously considering drafting Huff instead.

Re: Ngata may not fit team's defensive scheme

Originally Posted by Tony Soprano

To help Illustrate the Cover 2 DTs Versus the Grady Jackson types...

Warren Sapp was a Cover 2 DT in Tampa .. His game was quickness and pass rush. He was traded to Oakland and he was utilized his first year (or part of the first year) as a Nose Tackle. He wasn't big enough or stout enough to be an effective run stuffer and he was unhappy with no role in pass rushing.
Everyone agreed Sapp, couldn't play Nose tackle at that point.

.

To be more precise, Sapp played in the Tampa-2 defense. That is different from the standard Cover-2. But you're right, once Sapp got away from what he knew in Tampa, his world changed and not for the better.

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